Final Message from Head of School, Craig Coutts

 

by Craig Coutts, Head of School

 

Dear Parents,

So this is it, my final message to the YIS community. I have had the privilege of serving this community for the past 12 years and I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity to be the Head of School at Yokohama International School. When I applied over 12 years ago, I did so because I wanted to be at a school that put student learning first, knew who they were and what was special about their school and had a heart that was grounded in a sense of community, and I feel that this has continued and grown even more over the years. 

 

 

Earlier in my career I left education for a 4 year period and tried new things, however, I came back to it because I missed working with people through education. The difference you find in schools compared to many other workplaces, is there is one focus or bond that brings everyone involved together and that is students and their learning. The single focus on giving the gift of learning, whether a teacher, parent or leader, is something special and it is this bond that brings everyone through the front gate every morning. 

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported me and our school over the time I have been here. Education is the ultimate example of teamwork and the collaboration and the support that I have witnessed from all stakeholders over the years is the reason YIS is in such a good position and that people choose YIS as a place to learn and work. I would love to be able to mention people individually, but of course this would be an impossible task, so please know how deep my gratitude is for everyone and how much I will treasure this time working with and for you all.

 

 

I wish YIS and our whole community all the very best for the future and continued success, especially our students - your kids; they are our reason and our purpose and it has been an honor to be part of their lives.

 

Cheers,

Craig